Templates · Budgeting
Free Monthly Budget Template
A simple monthly budget spreadsheet that helps you see where your money actually goes. Track your income, fixed bills, everyday spending, and savings all in one place. You get automatic totals and a column that shows how your spending stacks up against your plan.
- Budgeting
- Spreadsheet
- Free template
What's included
This spreadsheet includes 5 sections covering everything you need.
Income
List everything coming in — your salary, side gigs, freelance work, whatever pays.
| Source | Expected Amount | Actual Amount | Difference | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Fixed Expenses
Your predictable monthly bills. Think rent, insurance, loan payments — the stuff that stays the same.
| Expense | Budgeted | Actual | Due Date | Auto-Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Variable Expenses
The spending that shifts around each month — groceries, eating out, entertainment, that kind of thing.
| Category | Budgeted | Actual | Difference | % of Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Savings & Investments
What you are putting away for the future — savings accounts, retirement, investments.
| Account | Goal | Contributed | Remaining | Target Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Monthly Summary
Your big-picture numbers at a glance: total income, total expenses, and how much you kept.
| Total Income | Total Expenses | Net Savings | Savings Rate % |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
How to use this template
Follow these steps to get the most out of this template.
- 1
Start by listing all your income sources and what you expect to bring in this month.
- 2
Add your fixed expenses — the bills that barely change, like rent, car payments, and subscriptions.
- 3
Set spending targets for each variable category. Last month's numbers are a good starting point.
- 4
Throughout the month, jot down what you actually spend in each category.
- 5
Check the difference column each week so you can catch overspending before it snowballs.
- 6
At the end of the month, look at your savings rate and take what you learned into next month.
Who this template is for
Anyone creating their first budget and wanting a simple starting point.
Individuals who want a clear picture of where their money goes each month.
Couples managing a shared household budget across multiple income sources.
People transitioning from no budget to a structured spending plan.
Why use Clarity instead?
This template is great for manual tracking, but Clarity automates everything for you. Connect your bank accounts, brokerages, exchanges, and wallets and see real-time data without entering a single number.
- Automatic transaction imports from 12,000+ institutions
- Real-time portfolio values and net worth tracking
- AI-powered spending insights and budget recommendations
- Tax-ready reports with automatic cost basis calculations
- One dashboard for banks, brokerages, crypto, and DeFi
Frequently Asked Questions
How many expense categories should I use?
Aim for 8-12. Too few and you lose sight of where the money goes; too many and updating the budget feels like a chore. Good starters: housing, transportation, groceries, dining out, utilities, insurance, healthcare, and entertainment.
Should I budget based on gross or net income?
Use your net (take-home) pay. That is the money you actually get to work with. If your deductions bounce around, average your net pay from the last 3 months.
How do I handle irregular expenses like car repairs?
Set up a sinking fund — a small amount you tuck away each month for those not-quite-unexpected costs. Saving 1-2% of your income monthly for surprises is a solid rule of thumb.
What if my income varies month to month?
Budget off your lowest-earning month from the past 6 months. When you make more, funnel the extra into savings or debt. That way a slow month never catches you off guard.
Related templates
Other templates you might find useful.
50/30/20 Budget Template
A budget built around the popular 50/30/20 rule: 50% of your take-home pay goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt. The template does the math for you and shows how your actual spending compares to those targets.
BudgetingZero-Based Budget Template
Give every dollar a job. With this zero-based budget, you assign your entire income to specific categories so that income minus all spending and saving equals exactly zero. Nothing slips through the cracks. Comes with pre-filled categories and a reconciliation section.
BudgetingBiweekly Budget Template
Built for people who get paid every two weeks. This template splits your expenses across two pay periods, handles those two bonus paychecks you get each year, and makes sure your bills are covered no matter which paycheck they fall near.
BudgetingHousehold Budget Template
A budget built for two (or more). Whether you are a couple or a family, this template tracks multiple incomes, shared expenses, personal spending allowances, and household savings goals — all in one place.
Ready to go beyond spreadsheets?
Clarity connects to your financial accounts and automates what this template does manually. Real-time data, zero data entry, and AI-powered insights.